Hi all I run 5w30 Fuchs titan oil in all my vehicles and one of the best places to get it from is Countrywide farmers believe it or not! Top notch stuff as well.

Muckboots wrote:

Duckworths do a service kit oil,fuel,air & pollen filter for £55

Dave007 wrote:

iain - check out Asda first before you buy oil from Halfords, they usually cheaper but you'll need to go to one of the larger ones.

Yes just done mine for first time. Oil from Asda £20 for 4L. Service kit off eBay about £50. 27mm ratchet spanner off amazon. It's a bit of a pig to do, but not as bad as BMW 320d air filter which is our other car. Puts a smile on your face though doing t or yourself! 07 SE manual, Narvick black.

Just to add to any technique for changing the oil filter, I hate the way that removal of any oil filter often results in a mess as you lift it away (my wife's Daihatsu has a tiny little drip tray underneath to catch drips, very thoughtful).

I change mine from underneath and gently unscrew the filter holder and then once it is nearly out, tilt it back a bit to let air in, the contained oil then drains down into the sump. Had a cup of tea and then lifted the filter clear. No mess!  2016 BMW X3 30d SE in red
MY2013 SD4 XS Firenze Red, 19" 10 spoke contrast paint wheels, Signature Strips, Grand Black Lacquer trim, Cold Climate Pack - gone!
2007 TD4 S Stornoway Grey - gone!

when removing and replacing the oil filter from underneath, which is what I intend to do, can you actually see the filter housing, and point of contact with the engine block.? or is it all touchy feely !!

ie can you see that you are replacing it correctly in terms of sealing, etc

Iain

No you can only see the end of the housing. If you going to do it from underneath I found the easiest way to get the ratchet spanner on it was from the top standing at the side of the vehicle, holding the ring part of the spanner in your palm hand and feeling it on was the easiest way, then back underneath. 
Hung like Einstein, smart as a horse.

thanks for that shiggsy, did you put it back on from the top or bottom ?

Iain

Iain, if I remember rightly, I started from the top, spanner on, initial loosening and then underneath undoing it further. It remains tight to undo until the seal on the thread is clear of the housing, but you can see this part from underneath. Then replacing is the reverse - start from underneath with a final tightening from above. Once you get a feel for it, you can do quite a lot of it 'blind'. One thing I don't have is a ratchet ring spanner of the correct size. Especially one that has a elbow joint along the shaft. On the shopping list for next time I do it. HTH, Andrew 2016 BMW X3 30d SE in red
MY2013 SD4 XS Firenze Red, 19" 10 spoke contrast paint wheels, Signature Strips, Grand Black Lacquer trim, Cold Climate Pack - gone!
2007 TD4 S Stornoway Grey - gone!

I started off doing everything from the bottom, and ended up removing the intercooler pipe and doing evverything from the top. 
Hung like Einstein, smart as a horse.

thanks guys, my ratchet spanner came yesterday, so just need to buy the filters, etc and give it a go !!

Iain